Through VPAN, Peer Support Helps Veterans Get Off the Streets and Into Services

If a Veteran is struggling with homelessness, substance use issues or health concerns, these issues can make the process even more difficult to navigate.

That’s where Veterans Peer Access Network (VPAN) comes in. The nation’s first-ever community-driven support network serving Veterans and their families, VPAN is an LA County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) program that works with VA and other partners to link Veterans to the services they’ve earned.

“Somebody who’s living on the streets or just got out of prison, they don’t have a lot of people in their corner,” VPAN Peer Support Specialist and Army Veteran Lucy Morales said. “They know they can come to us.”

All staffers at VPAN are either Veterans or MilFam (meaning they’re family members of Veterans or active-duty service members).

With this deep connection in place for all individuals on the team, empathy is a key element of operations at VPAN. The staff truly understands the unique needs of this population and works every day to meet Veterans and their families wherever they are.

From VALOR to VPAN

Before it became VPAN, both Anh Tran, VPAN program manager, and Liza Rodriguez, VPAN lead housing specialist, worked for its previous incarnation: a DMH program called Veterans and Loved Ones Recovery (VALOR). VALOR was a program that focused specifically on meeting the acute mental health needs of Veterans.

Under the leadership of Army Veteran Jim Zenner (now the director of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs of LA County), and with the support of a County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors motion, VALOR transformed into VPAN and began to offer a broader range of services. These include peer supportive services, help with housing support, substance misuse support, workforce development and employment, healthcare, education, legal services, social connection/recreation, and miscellaneous needs.

VPAN is headquartered in downtown Los Angeles’ grand, historic Bob Hope Patriotic Hall with walk-in Rally Points at community-based organizations in LA’s five supervisorial districts. There’s also a phone number that’s accessible seven days a week, including holidays, for emotional support and referrals: 800-854-7771 *3.   

Essentially, VPAN can help with almost anything a Veteran or their family member needs, but the top requests for staff typically revolve around housing, mental health assistance and benefits. In LA County, where there are approximately 3,800 homeless Veterans, as of the 2023 Point In Time count, housing is a major component of VPAN’s work.

Engaging in Outreach

All VPAN staff members engage in outreach by visiting encampments, going to a variety of community events, and developing relationships with Veterans experiencing both sheltered and unsheltered homelessness.

“We don’t shy away from outreach,” Tran said of VPAN’s approach. “We are always able to meet the Veteran where they are.”

By not requiring Veterans to come to an office location to get services, it drastically reduces barriers to care. “If you’re homeless you’re going to have transportation issues, you’re going to have access issues already,” Tran said.

Morales, who served a tour in Iraq, received help from VPAN before becoming an employee. She was working multiple jobs and struggling to make ends meet when she was connected with the organization.

“There was so much support from every angle,” she said. “I was like, ‘where has this been all my life?’”

Part of VPAN’s success involves hiring people who have a true passion for the work, Tran said. In June of 2023, VPAN served 542 new Veterans/MilFam.

Rodriguez agrees. “That real-life experience Veterans bring, it offers such a unique piece to our program,” Rodriguez said. “Without that, it might be harder for certain individuals to connect with Veterans, especially the ones who are struggling.”

Closing the Gap

For Veterans who might not qualify for certain VA benefits due to their discharge status, disability rating or other eligibility requirements, VPAN helps to bridge the gap.

“The Department of Mental Health has housing for Veterans that have serious mental illness,” Rodriguez said. “And we can tap into different resources.” LA County Health Services also has housing resources for Veterans who might not qualify for VA programs like VA Supportive Housing (VASH) or Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF).

If a Veteran is experiencing unsheltered homelessness and needs an immediate place to stay, VPAN can help connect them with different transitional housing options, from A Bridge Home at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center to Volunteers of America on Skid Row.

In her role, Rodriguez is the go-to for all knowledge about housing options. “Things are constantly changing,” she said of the many available services and programs, but she stays abreast of all changes and immediately passes the info along to VPAN staff.

Throughout the housing process, VPAN staff can help with everything from filling out applications to finding apartments to acquiring furniture, Tran said.

Everyone Is Welcome

“We don’t turn people away very often,” Tran said. “We’re here to help.” Even when it comes to the definition of MilFam, nieces, aunts, uncles, significant others – all can count as family and can contact VPAN for support.

And if someone needs services and doesn’t qualify for Veteran benefits, VPAN can even point them to civilian resources.

“VPAN changed my life,” Morales said. “It gave me a sense of purpose.”

To connect with VPAN for assistance, call the Veteran Support Line at 800-854-7771, *3 (9 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week), visit one of the Rally Points in Los Angeles County or email veterans@dmh.lacounty.gov.